196 THE PROBLEM OF EVOLUTION 



of God, who formed a world capable of evolution. 

 Considered in its logical aspect, this is a deduc- 

 tion, but it can also be regarded as a funda- 

 mental principle in its relation to actual facts. 



In conclusion Dr. Schmidt-Jena wished to say a 

 few words on the frequently mentioned metaphor 

 of the rock of Christianity. In the course of the 

 discussion it had been proved (!) that the waves of 

 science had already washed away a good deal of 

 it ; first the Ptolemaic System, then Permanence 

 of Species, then belief in miracles (which is now 

 replaced by the theory of conformity to law) all 

 these were integral parts once of Christianity, and 

 have now been given up, because it was vain to 

 attempt to resist the progress of science. 



What Dr. Schmidt-Jena said about the 

 integral parts of Christianity does not call for a 

 long answer, for neither the Ptolemaic System 

 nor Permanence of Species, nor any belief 

 in miracles, which could conflict with the 

 acceptance of natural laws, ever formed integral 

 constituents of Christianity. 



Finally, Dr. Schmidt-Jena said that even in the 

 case of Father Wasmann, theism was shaken, and was 

 in danger of being broken down altogether by the 

 advancing tide of the doctrine of evolution. He 

 supported this interesting assertion by the following 

 evidence : Theism regards as necessary an incessant 



